Arum’s Best Plans for Shakur Stevenson: Shots in Easy Superfights

Promoter Bob Arum wants to match his fight, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, with two other famous champions at 135, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Vasily Lomachenko, when Shakur defeats Artem Harutyunyan next month on July 6.

Contract Renewal Incentive

Arum wants to re-sign Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) to a new contract with his company Top Rank, and matching him with one of the biggest names, Lomachenko and Tank, would be a good way to entice him to get another -hitch.

Shakur’s contract with Arum’s company expires with his fight against the recently beaten Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) on July 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The chances of Arum setting up Shakur’s fights against Lomachenko or Tank Davis are slim right now. Stevenson has built a reputation as a fighter who avoids engagement at all costs. Tank and Lomachenko don’t want to chase Shakur in the ring, and they don’t want their fights to be picked on by the fans because of the fear that Stevenson uses.

Shakur’s last fight against Edwin De Los Santos was booed by the fans at T-Mobile in Las Vegas last November because he was running around the entire contest.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time that Shakur fought in a risky way, as he has done it all his career, picking his way to world titles in three weight divisions but failing to impress and winning fans only for those who like to watch. fence, safety-first style he uses.

Stevenson’s Signature Contest

Arum has competition for Shakur’s services; however, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken of wanting to sign the 2016 Olympic silver medalist even though there is no big name in his stable at 135 or 140 to fight.

Hearns only has Andy Cruz at lightweight, and he’s not a big name. It would be a very dangerous fight for Stevenson because Cruz has a similar defensive style, counterattacking but with more power. Cruz is arguably a better version of Shakur without Stevenson’s big mouth and bragging skills.

“I want to see a real performance from Shakur,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told Sky Sports about his hopes for WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson if he successfully defeats Artem Harutyunyan on July 6. “It’s a fight. interesting.”

It might be better for Arum to let Shakur move on to another promoter who can try to figure out how to make him more attractive. Arum will be up against it right now, trying to get some big names to convince Shakur to re-sign him to a new contract.

Legendary promoter Arum doesn’t seem interested in giving up Teofimo Lopez or Keyshawn Davis for Shakur to play his role in the outbox and destroy their careers. Those two have more power to draw fans than Shakur, so it makes sense that Arum isn’t holding his feet to the fire to use as opponents for the New Jersey native.

Arum Wants Shakur to Change Style

“I know if he comes in and taps he can beat anybody, but that doesn’t make people happy, and professional boxing is part of the entertainment, so I want him to fight a fight that will make people happy,” Arum said about wanting Shakur to fight. with a more exciting, engaging style in his fights instead of his usual hit-and-miss style of competition.

Arum doesn’t see any way he can change Shakur’s fighting style because it’s so entrenched at this point, and if he ends up standing, it will break him. He would be like Roy Jones Jr. when his mobility deteriorated towards the end of his career, forcing him to fight fighters while standing.

Jones was repeatedly thrown out when his mobility and speed disappeared. The same could be said for Shakur. He’s too weak to engage in combat without getting chewed out by the stronger, stronger warriors at 135 and 140.

“Lomachenko still has one of the lightweight titles, and he too [Gervonta] Davis was going to be a big, big fight [for Shakur]. Those who are fighting seem ready and willing to fight each other,” said Arum.